Former Leeds United and US international football player Robbie Rogers has revealed he is gay in an online post.

The 25-year-old, who most recently played for Stevenage, also announced he was stepping away from football.

"For the past 25 years I have been afraid, afraid to show whom I really was because of fear. Fear that judgment and rejection would hold me back from my dreams and aspirations," Rogers wrote in a blog post on Friday.

"Try explaining to your loved ones after 25 years you are gay. Try convincing yourself that your creator has the most wonderful purpose for you even though you were taught differently," he added.

Rogers said he always thought he would be able to keep his sexuality a secret.

"Football was my escape, my purpose, my identity," he wrote. "Football hid my secret, gave me more joy than I could have ever imagined ... I will always be thankful for my career."

The California native said he realised he could only "truly enjoy" his life once he was honest.

"My secret is gone, I am a free man, I can move on and live my life as my creator intended," he said.

Rogers won 18 caps for the US national team between 2009 and 2011.

Impeded by injury, Rogers made just four appearances for Leeds after signing a deal to play for the Championship side in January 2012.

He was released by Leeds last month after completing a five-month loan at Stevenage.